HITS BACK

STAFF and residents at the under-fire Linden Bank Bail Hostel in Sandbach have defended the centre against mounting pressure to close it down.

Campaigners, led by Congleton Borough Mayor Bernard Edwards, stepped up the fight to have the London Road hostel relocated after allegations that convicted murderer Jenny Cupit absconded days before her trial.

But in an exclusive interview with The GUARDIAN, hostel manager Christine Scally, insisted that local residents had nothing to be afraid of.

"If there's a crime committed in Elworth often people automatically say it must be somebody from Linden Bank, but there's no evidence to support those claims," she said.

"There are people in Sandbach and Elworth who are waiting to go to court but aren't in here. The hostel provides a more secure system and the police have told us that there's no evidence to say that crime has gone up since the hostel was set up."

One of Councillor Edwards' major complaints was the location of the hostel opposite a public park but Mrs Scally said residents never went there.

"Our residents are not allowed in the park and haven't been for three years because the residents were very scared about going in there. We made it clear that the park was for Elworth residents only and they understood," she said.

"We have a standard curfew for everyone from 11pm to 7am and residents have to submit work plans every week to show what they will be doing during the daytime, and if it's not a constructive use of time it's not allowed.

"There is a hostel liaison committee, including two Sandbach councillors, which meets to discuss any worries people have about the centre, but neither councillor has attended since last May."

Hostel resident Susan said the centre was vital to her rehabilitation.

"In prison there are no treatment programmes for women and that's why it's better here. I think it's far better to do something constructive and stop people re-offending," she said.

"When I started work I didn't tell them I lived here because people pre-judge you, but now they know and they have accepted me for who I am."

Another resident, Mark, said they certainly weren't allowed to come and go as they pleased.

"Even if it's just to make a phone call or post a letter, you can't just walk out of this place," he said.

"We can understand why people are afraid but they shouldn't make assumptions about us. Most of us in here are decent people and will do anything for anyone."

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